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“I Support the
PARCC Tests”
By Andrea Townsend
GCSD Director of Administration & Pupil Personnel Services
I feel the need to make an unpopular statement of my opinion.
Here goes… I support the new statewide tests. The new statewide
tests developed by PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for
College and Careers) are a series of high quality, computer-based K-12
assessments in Math and Language Arts. I know that my lack of distain
for these assessments may shock some readers. It is shocking
because I work for Greenville City Schools in the capacity of
coordinating services for students with special needs. It may
also be shocking because I am a parent of two elementary school
students who will be subjected to these tests in the coming
weeks. As a result, the new PARCC tests have occupied a great
deal of my personal and professional time over the last calendar year
in preparation. Despite this fact, I support PARCC and let me
tell you why.
Educators and legislators in our state adopted new standards to guide
the instruction for public schools several years ago. These standards
are focused on the skills students need to be successful in college or
their career or both. The standards look at critical thinking and
problem solving skills as well as developing a student’s ability
communicate clearly. These skills are paramount to success in our
ever changing, global and technology driven world. As an
educator, I am passionate about preparing each of our students for
success even after graduation. As a parent, I dream about my
children developing all of the skills that allow them to pursue any
path in life that they choose. The federal Elementary and
Secondary Education Act requires that states use tests to measure
achievement, but with new instructional standards, it seems unfair to
use a test aligned to the previous standards. According to the
PARCConline.org website, “The new tests also are being developed in
response to the longstanding concerns of educators, parents and
employers who want assessments that better measure students’
critical-thinking and problem-solving skills and their ability to
communicate clearly.” It is more fair to use a test that is
closely aligned with the instruction. This is just the first
reason I support the PARCC tests.
Students come to school with a great deal of diversity. As a
parent I can see the dramatic differences among the two children in my
home. As an educator, I see documented needs of students that
vary widely. Every student deserves equal access to instruction
in the skills they will need for success in the future. For these
reasons we utilize tools such as Individual Education Programs as well
as Written Education Plans for gifted students to meet the differing
needs during instruction. Consequently, we will need a test that
can evaluate students with a wide range of abilities. PARCC is
using Universal Design principles to make the new tests as accessible
as possible to all students. According to the PARCConline.org
website,
“It is important to ensure that performance in the classroom and on the
assessment is influenced as little as possible by a student’s
disability or linguistic/cultural characteristics that are unrelated to
the content being assessed. For PARCC assessments, accommodations are
adjustments to the testing situation, test format, or test
administration that provide equitable access during assessments for
students with disabilities, students who are English learners, and
students with disabilities who are also English learners.”
This approach to providing students with the tools they need to
interact with the test in the way that best suits them is new to
standardized tests in Ohio. This is yet another reason I support
PARCC tests.
Acquiring skills begins with a clear understanding of two things.
First we must clearly understand what skill we want. Second we
must clearly understand the skills we already have. When we have
those two pieces of information, we are able to learn, practice and
apply skills between those we have and those we want. It is
important in education that we have the clearest understanding of the
skills each student has and the skills each student needs.
According to PARCConline.org, PARCC will report results that include
whether students can read and comprehend a range of complex texts
independently, whether students can write effectively when using and/or
analyzing sources, and whether students can build and present knowledge
through research and the comparison and synthesis of ideas. PARCC
will also be able to report students’ ability to demonstrate fluency in
key areas and to solve problems using mathematical practices,
mathematical reasoning and modeling. As a parent, I want to know
that I have done all I can to give my children all the skills they
need. As an educator, I need to address the skills between the
ones my students have and the ones they need. The information
PARCC will report will give a more complete measurement of students’
skills. And here is another reason why I support PARCC tests.
I can honestly say that the process of making this transition has been
challenging for all who are involved. I also know that change
itself is challenging. Hardworking teachers and school
administrators in this community and across the state have spent
countless hours reading administration manuals, rethinking instruction
and preparing students for the change in testing format. A great
deal of time has been lost to making this shift. The focus of our
work as educators seems to have been skewed lately to an emphasis on
testing when our hearts want to be focused on high quality
instruction. This fact must be addressed as we move forward with
the
new testing format so that students, parents and teachers feel
confident in their ability to support students as they demonstrate
important skills. The overall goal of the new statewide tests is
to measure critical thinking, problem solving and effective
communication skills of students across our state in a way that is
engaging and accessible to all students. I do not like the drain
these tests have had on our most precious resource: time with
students. I do not like everything about this change, but I
support the PARCC tests.
I support the PARCC tests and I am not alone. I am proud that
some educators in our district are opting in to the PARCC tests.
Mr. Aaron Shaffer recently commented on facebook with his perspective
on the PARCC.
“I can assure you, as an educator, we are worried about this test too.
However, it has more to do with the uncertainties that come with the
newness of the test. Everyone is more comfortable with things they are
familiar with. When proficiency testing started 20 years ago there were
concerns. Likely very similar to the concerns many people are having
now. Our students can and will do well. If they don't we can look at
why, develop plans to improve, and get them to where they need to go.
Everyone needs to take a deep breath, relax a little, and see how we
do. Few people have concerns about their children participating in
sports, dance, etc. They are tested in those areas regularly in the
form of games and competitions. Those games and competitions are
evaluated and practices are planned to address areas of concern. This
testing is no different. Test day is game day. But please, don't
misinterpret this comment as total support for this test. But our
children will be tested one way or another. That's just the way it is.”
If you would like to know more about PARCC assessments please visit
www.parcconline.org, http://education.ohio.gov , or
www.greenville.k12.oh.us
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